Seventy-two young players will attempt to catch selectors’ eyes in Tempe, Ariz., Dec. 26-31, in hopes of making the MJAA squad for the 2014 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy.

The MJAAs will be back in the JWRT following their unsuccessful IRB Junior World Championship campaign this year. The MJAAs lost all five of their matches in France, including a 109-0 loss to eventual champion England. As host country of the JWRT in 2012, the MJAAs captured the title of champions with a 37-33 win against Japan in the Final at Murray Rugby Park Stadium.

The large number of players in attendance will allow the MJAA coaching staff to test the candidates with game-type scenarios, during which rugby skill and rugby IQ will be on display as players are evaluated on technical proficiency, skill and performance.

More than 60% of the MJAA camp attendees have advanced through the HSAA program either as overseas tour members, domestic camp participants, or participants of the inaugural Stars and Stripes Camp in Greeley, Colo., in July.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the quantity of coach recommendations and also by the interest and commitment from all candidate players as demonstrated by their declaration of availability, their promptness in turning in paper work, and organizing flights to and form camp,” MJAA Assistant Coach Michael Engelbrecht said. “A big ‘thank you’ to the coaches for the support of their athletes’ continued development and their support for the MJAA program.”

BHSAA Head Coach Salty Thompson will have the opportunity to see 113 high school players during his Winter Camp, including 15 players who helped the HSAAs at the RFU Wellington College International Rugby Festival in April. Almost all of the players invited to camp were identified through the USA Rugby Regional All-Star Tournaments.

The BHSAAs, sponsored by Aircraft Charter Solutions, were the busiest of the All-Americans in 2013, traveling to England for two tournaments and Argentina for a series against the national U18 side.

In 2014, the BHSAAs will participate in the Las Vegas Invitational Jan. 21-25 alongside the Men’s Eagles Sevens at USA Sevens before heading across the pond once again for the England School Sevens March 22-29. The Junior Varsity tour will provide a U17 level of competition with matches against Portugal and France in early April, while the Varsity team will travel to Argentina for two rematches against the U18 team in July.

The coaching staff for the Men’s Junior All-Americans will be announced prior to the Winter Camp.